Quadruple inversion recovery for quantitative contrast-enhanced black blood imaging
US7715900B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/5601
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A contrast enhancement (CE) agent is infused into blood flowing through a site that is to be imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two double inversion procedures are carried out, forming a quadruple inversion recovery (QIR) pulse sequence. Each double inversion procedure comprises a non-selective and slice-selective inversion RF pulse. The first double inversion procedure is followed by a first predefined inversion delay period, TI1, and the second procedure by a second predefined inversion delay period, TI2. A black-blood image can thus be produced in which blood appears consistently black and tissues surrounding the blood, such as a vessel wall, heart, atherosclerotic plaque, or thrombus, are clearly visible. Unlike the prior art black-blood imaging technique, the QIR method does not require a precise knowledge of the T1 of the blood carrying the CE agent in order to suppress the signal and artifacts caused by the blood flowing through the site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.